Storage device for mouth guard

ABSTRACT

A storage device for a mouth guard or the like, the storage device including a band adapted to be secured to a limb and a storage compartment formed on the band.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No.61/239,958 filed on Sep. 4, 2009; the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a storage device for mouth guards.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In many sporting events, particularly contact sports, it is now usualfor participants to utilize a mouth guard to protect the gums and teethof the participant. The mouth guards are worn during the sportingactivity but are frequently removed during stoppages in the activity orwhen the participant is temporarily inactive.

When a mouth guard is removed, the participants will either hold themouth guard or find a location which it can be stored. These mightinclude being lodged in the face mask, placed in a pocket, placed on abench, in a spare shoe, behind the ear or within the clothing used bythe participant. None of these are particularly sanitary and are alsoprone to damage or inadvertent loss.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to obviate ormitigate the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general terms, the present invention provides a storage device for amouth guard that includes a band that may be secured to the participantsbody. A storage compartment is formed on the band and sized to receive amouth guard.

Preferably, the compartment is in the form of a pocket and the band issized to encompass a limb of the participants, such as a wrist or ankle.

As a further preference, the band has a fastening along overlappingedges of the band to permit adjustment of the size of the band.

Typically, the band is formed from an elasticized material or a neopreneand the compartment is secured to one surface of the band by stitching.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of exampleonly with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the storage device.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the storage device.

FIG. 3 is a exploded view showing the components of the storage deviceof FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the storage device in use onthe arm of an athlete.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a storage device in use on the lower leg ofan athlete.

FIG. 6 is front view of an alternative embodiment of storage device.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the storage device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the assembly of the storage deviceof FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 6 of an alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring therefore to FIG. 1, a storage device generally indicated 10includes a band 12 of elasticized material. Typically, the material maybe an elasticized towelling or a similar absorbent material that isformed from a length of the material with adjacent edges sewn to oneanother as indicated at 14 in FIG. 2 to form a continuous annulus. Theannulus is sized so as to be a comfortable but snug fit over a limb ofan athlete, such as the wrist shown in FIG. 4 or an ankle as shown inFIG. 5. Naturally, different sized bands 12 may be formed to suitdifferent applications, but generally are sized so as not to impedemovement of the athlete and to be a snug fit on the athlete.

A compartment 16 is formed on the outer surface of the band 12. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the compartment is formed as a pocketfrom a rectangular panel of material 18, that is sewn along three edgesto the band 12. The free edge allows a mouth guard to be inserted withinthe pocket formed by the panel 18 and retained snugly within the pocketin a secure manner. It will be appreciated that the compartment may beformed as a simple loop sewn to the band at opposite ends rather than anenclosed pocket to allow the mouth guard to be held by the elasticnature of the material against the band. Similarly, alternativematerials may be used such as an neoprene. Preferably at least thematerial of panel 18 is antimicrobial, although the band 12 itself mayalso be treated so as to be antimicrobial.

In use, the storage device 10 is slipped onto the limb of theparticipant, either the wrist shown in FIG. 4 or the ankle as shown isFIG. 5, where it does not interfere with the normal equipment used bythe participant. The material used for the storage device 10 iscompatible with materials normally found in sports clothing and is notobjectionable from a safety perspective.

With the device in place, the mouth guard may simply be inserted intothe compartment 16 where it is secured during the normal movement of theathlete. Moreover, the absorbent nature of the material maintains themouth piece dry and absorbs any fluids that may be on the mouth piece.The snug nature of the pocket formed by the compartment 16 means thatthe athlete may move around freely without the potential loss of themouth guard so that it is always readily available when needed.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 5 through 7, the stitching 14is replaced by a hook and loop fastening 20, commonly referred to asVelcro, along one edge of the band 12. As shown in FIG. 7, thereleasable fastening 20 provided by the Velcro allows the band 12 to besecurely wrapped around the athletes limb so as to a snug fit. Thecompartment 16 is secured to one face so it is always directed outwardlyfrom the limb and is available for storage of the mouth guard.

It will be appreciated that the storage device 10 is readily removed andcan be washed after each use to maintain the sanitary conditions.Moreover, when removed, the device serves as a storage for the mouthguard ensuring it does not come into contact with mud and soiledequipment as might otherwise be the case.

The compartment may be sized to suit different needs. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 9, the material 18 is enlarged to extend around a majorportion of the band 12, offering more choices for locating the mouthguard. In this embodiment, as referred to in the description of FIGS. 1to 3, the material 18 is sewn to the band 12 along opposite lateraledges, so as to define an enlarged loop rather than an enclosed pocketof a mouth guard but other devices may be stored within the pocket, suchas ear plugs, nose clips, goggles or whistle, where intermittent use isenvisaged.

1. A storage device for a mouth guard or the like, said storage deviceincluding a band adapted to be secured to a limb and a storagecompartment formed on said band.
 2. A storage device according to claim1 wherein said storage compartment is a pocket.
 3. A storage deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein said storage compartment is a loop.
 4. Astorage device according to claim 1 wherein said band is elastic.
 5. Astorage device according to claim 4 wherein said band is a continuousannulus.
 6. A storage device according to claim 1 wherein said band hasa releasable fastening to allow opposite ends to be secured to oneanother from an annulus.
 7. A storage device according to claim 6wherein said band is elastic.
 8. A storage device according to claim 1wherein said band is absorbent.
 9. A storage device according to claim 1wherein said band is made of neoprene.
 10. A storage device according toclaim 1 wherein said storage compartment is formed from a panel securedto said band.
 11. A storage device according to claim 10 wherein saidpanel is rectangular and secured along three edges to provide a pocket.12. A storage device according to claim 10 wherein said panel is securedalong opposite edges to provide a loop.
 13. A storage device accordingto claim 10 wherein material of said panel is antimicrobial.